New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-09-13
UNITY IN ESSENTIALS.

That was q pertinent question which +. H.
IT nronounded in letter printed on Monday:
Is the Republican party united on questions
relating to the revenue and It's expenditure
On the surface there is great diversity OF
opinion among Republicans, as the correSpon-
dent implies. 1t is important, as he suggests
that this diversity as to detail shouio DO
cleared away as far as possible prior W .no
next Presidential campaign. But II Is also
important to inquire whether the eXisting
differences are as TO principles; whether they
concern details only or essentials.
Let the question of revenue reduction oe
first considered. There is certainly suDstah-
tial agreement among true Republicans on
the vital principle that reduction shouid Dc
an honest curtailment of revenue, and not u
Numbering or dishonest lowering OF rates.
which would produce larger imports ana coh-
seauently larger revenue. The persons WIN
lean toward free trade, and who want 10 move
in that direction under the pretence Oh reuuo-
ing revenue, took themselves out OF the nc
publican party with comparatively lew eAccp-
tons by their support OF Cleveland LII 1901
The drift of public sentiment since thae. 'ime'
in the LIGHT of industrial experience ana pro-
press has been strongly toward maintenance
of the defences which have enabled our indus
try IA develop so grandly and there arc many
who were caught by claptrap about Tree raw
materials, three or four years ago. VINO arc ho
longer so deceived. But substantial UNITY
on the vital principle that tho defence OIL
homo industry must not be abandoned or
weakened does not imply entire agreement
as to the methods by which the revenue should
he reduced. Some favor removal of taxes on
tobacco or liquors. others reduction or re-
moval of duties on sugar, regarding 'noSo
duties as purely for revenue and not pfoVcc'i'c
in design or nature. Others wouio cut OH
revenue. by raising duties on certain articles
largely imported only because OF the neon
sistencies or plumbers in the tarilf. Precise
agreement in regard to the modes OF reduc-
ton is not attainable, nor Is IL esseheiai ~
long as there is unity in the controlling pur-
pose-to maintain and perfect the defence OF
home industry. But it is most desirable tha'
the party should be prepared by examination
and free discussion for an intelligent decision
as to details when it is again clothed with 'he
responsibilities of administration.
The Republican party Is substantially
united, moreover, in the vital principle that
the people are 10 NC tTuSocu III '"NH WI FN
capacity to employ public revenue Tor the
public good, in National defences, In works
of internal improvement and in providing in
creased facilities for commerce. The Demo-
cratic theory to which that party constantly
proves false whenever it has chance TO please
some section, locality or class OF voters by
special fayors, is that the people in their gov.
ernng or corporate capacity cannot be trusted
and ought to be starved by cutting down the
revenue and the functions OF government as
far as possible. The Republican party hon
estly holding the opposite belief, nevertheless
embraces men who differ widely as to the
wisdom of employing public funds in this or
that direction Some shrink from liberal use
of public funds for the development OF foreign
commerce by promoting the establishment OF
mail steamship lines; some shrink from the
expenditure ncedful TO create requisite defences
for harbors or an efficient navy to protect
American ships abroad some regard with sus-
picion all appropriations for the improvement
OF rivers and harbors however mcritorious.
On these points discussion is obviously deslr-
able to prepare the way for intelligent decision
when the party is again invested with tho
responsibilities of power. But so long as
there is substantial unity in the governing
purpose, to employ public funds fcarlessly but
wisely for the public good, and for the greatest
good of the greatest number diversity of opin-
ion respecting details can do no harm.
RESPONSIBILITY FOR BLOODSHED.